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Is wood better than plastic for modelling?
Posted in: Kit building
23rd October 2024
When it comes to scale modelling, the debate between using wood or plastic is a long-standing one. Both materials...
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Is a sable brush better than a nylon one?
Posted in: Painting
16th May 2019
Sable brushes are made from hair and are a lot softer than nylon brushes. As to whether they are better it really...
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What is T-Gauge?
Posted in: Model Railway
10th February 2025
T-Gauge is the smallest commercially available model railway gauge in the world, with a track width of just 3 mm....
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Were station halts only used on minor branch lines?
Posted in: Scenery
31st July 2023
Station halts were not exclusively used on minor branch lines. While it is true that station halts were commonly...
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What is the minimum space required to install a OO gauge incline?
Posted in: Best practices
13th December 2021
For most modellers, installing an incline can be challenging because they take up so much space, and space is...
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How can you tell the complexity of a kit?

The complexity of a model kit can often be subjective depending on a modeller's experience and dexterity, so how can you tell if a particular kit is for you?

That is a very big question considering the sheer number and types of kit on the market. Some manufacturers such as Airfix and Revell offer a rating system on the box to suggest a modelling ability their kit is aimed at, but what about the rest?

If you are in a shop, you can always ask for a peek inside the box. If you're doing this, take note of the number of parts in the kit. If you don't like big or complex projects, the chances are you will not enjoy a 200-piece kit.

Once you have found a suitably sized project, pay particular attention to the size of the components in the kit. Although none of us like to admit it, the clock only ticks one way, so make sure that you are happy and capable of putting together the smaller parts. It's important to be honest with yourself at this point because the shopkeeper is probably not going to make any assumptions, and rightly so.

If you are shopping online, the task of identifying the complexity of a kit becomes more, well, complex! Most listings will give little away, concentrating more on the details and what's included, and an internet search for the product will likely only succeed in bringing up lots more listings, so you end up going round and round in circles.

If that frustration sounds familiar, try looking on YouTube for your answer. There are thousands of model reviews and unboxing videos out there as well as a generous library of tutorials. These are great for assessing a kit because even if the audio doesn't directly address your questions, the footage will certainly help you.

Finally, if you prefer your communication in a more traditional way, you can always chat to your local modelling club or phone your local model shop, both of which are always happy to help!

Posted in: Kit building

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